World Rabies Day says we are Stronger Together

World Rabies Day 2026 falls on September 28 with the theme 'Stronger Together.' WHO stresses that elimination cannot rely on one step: mass dog vaccination reduces transmission at the source; health services need timely wound washing, vaccination and risk-based immunoglobulin after exposure; surveillance and reporting locate threats; and governments, veterinarians, schools and communities sustain coverage. PAHO says dog-mediated human rabies cases in the Americas fell about 98%, from 300 in 1983 to 11 reported across 2025 and 2026 through July. Chile became the first South American country validated by WHO for eliminating dog-mediated human rabies in September 2026. An awareness day is not an endpoint; vaccine access, under-reporting and wildlife reservoirs remain material risks.